Dr. Blake Swearingen
Update 6/15/21: Dr. Blake Swearingen DDS MSD has relocated to Ohio with her family while her husband Daniel completes his medical residency. We wish them both all the best!
Background and Pre-Dental Education
Dr. Elizabeth ‘Blake’ Swearingen, a native Texan, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She attended the university as a scholarship athlete and played goal keeper for the school’s soccer team.
Orthodontic Education
Dr. Blake earned her D.D.S. at the University of Texas Dental Branch in the Houston Medical Center where she graduated as her class’s valedictorian and was inducted into the OKU Honor Society. After graduating dental school, she was one of only seven students accepted to one of the nation’s top orthodontic residency programs at the University of Texas School of Dentistry. There she completed a two-year orthodontic residency earning a Masters of Science in Dentistry with a focus in Orthodontics as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Orthodontics.
Previous Work History
After graduating from her orthodontic program, Dr. Blake moved to Bryan / College Station to join the practice of Dr. J. Garland Watson. There she completed her board certification, became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, and joined the orthodontic faculty part-time at the UT School of Dentistry. And though she enjoyed her year in Aggieland, Dr. Blake is happy to be back in Houston and excited to be a part of Kingwood Orthodontics!
Why Dr. Blake Became An Orthodontist
Even from an early age, Dr. Blake has always had a passion for science and the arts. It is no surprise then that she has found herself in a career that harmoniously marries the two. The science of constructing a functional bite combined with the art of creating a beautiful smile is the perfect fit for Dr. Blake. But what she says makes her career most gratifying is being able to develop lasting relationships and serve the members of the community in which she practices. For Dr. Blake, there is a real joy in seeing the smiles that she and her patients have built together make such a difference to the patients she serves.
Outside the Office
Dr. Blake married her college sweetheart, Daniel Swearingen. Together they have beautiful daughter Cora. In the brief free time they still have, they love to attend various performing arts events, cooking, and taking care of their two Bichons, Bijou and Fleur. In addition, Dr. Blake enjoys golf, tennis, painting, and crafting.
Published Works
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Blake has taken an interest in conducting orthodontic research in order to improve care for all patients. Her work has been published as follows:
- Kerr JE, Swearingen EB, Heath E, and Tribble GD.
Biofilm Composition and Viability in the Presence of Selenium.
J Dent Res. 92(SIA): ABS #1257, 2014. - Zhang W, Swearingen EB, Ju J, Rigney T, Tribble GD.
Porphyromonas Gingivalis Invades Osteoblasts and Inhibits Bone Formation.
Microbes Infect. 12(11):838-845. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2010.05.011. Epub 2010 Jun 9.
Honors and Awards
During her orthodontic career Dr. Swearingen was honored to receive the following awards:
- ABO Case Display at the AAO Annual Meeting
- American Association of Orthodontics Award
- Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society Honoree and Inductee
- Heyl G. Tebo Endowed Scholarship Recipient
- Women of Rotary Scholarship Recipient
- AADR Summer Research Fellowship Recipient
- Walter G. Sterling Award
- Alpha Omega International Fraternity Award
- Delta Dental Student Leadership Award
Professional Affiliations
Dr. Blake is an active member of the following organizations:
- The American Association of Orthodontics
- Diplomate; The American Board of Orthodontics
- The University of Texas Orthodontic Alumni Association
- Southwest Society of Orthodontics
- Texas Association of Women Dentists
- American Dental Association
- Texas Den